Officials call for gun safety laws following Seattle teenager’s death

(The Center Square) – A shooting on the campus of Garfield High School in Seattle’s Central District has resulted in the death of a 17-year-old student.

Seattle Police Patrol officers responded to reports of a shooting Thursday afternoon. Officers found the student with multiple gunshot wounds.

At 12:30 p.m., patrol officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 400 block of 23rd Avenue South and found a 17-year-old male with multiple gunshot wounds.

Seattle Police rendered medical aid until Seattle Fire Department arrived on scene and continued treatment. The man was taken to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition.

SPD officers determined that an altercation had occurred on school grounds prior to the shooting at Garfield High School.

The student succumbed to his injuries later that day.

“This tragedy deeply affects our entire SPS community – my greatest concern is for the well-being and safety of our students and staff,” Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones said in a statement. “We at Seattle Public Schools are committed to providing our students and staff with the necessary support and resources during this tragic event.”

Garfield High School will have no classes on Friday, June 7 and Monday, June 10.

In a separate statement on the shooting, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said the student’s death makes it even more urgent for the city to take action against gun violence.

“While Seattle continues to advance both law enforcement and community-based solutions, the tools we currently have are not enough,” Harrell said. “It’s past time to reject state dominance over gun laws and give cities the freedom to set their own common-sense gun safety laws and better keep people safe.”

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Harrell mentioned that Friday is National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the city has planned an event that day to create a new memorial garden for victims of gun violence.

The Seattle Education Association also released a statement on social media calling for restrictions on access to weapons: “Our students have a right to learn and thrive in safe communities and schools, free from the threat of gun violence.”